Reading, PA (Sept. 13, 2008) - The Crusader Volleyball team earned their first two wins of the season defeating Rutgers-Newark and Albright College this afternoon at the Albright Tri-Match. In their first game of the tri-match they fell to Bryn Mawr two games to three. With the wins Alvernia improves to 2-7 on the season.
Alvernia opened the day with a 3-2 loss to Bryn Mawr College. Bryn Mawr took the first game 25-17 before the Crusaders evened the match with a 25-23 win in the second game. The two teams went back and forth again with Bryn Mawr winning the third game 25-19 and Alvernia taking the fourth game 25-20. Bryn Mawr took the tie-breaking fifth game 15-8 for the match win. Alvernia was led by freshman middle hitter Alyssa Soltis (Allentown, PA/Parkland) who had 15 kills, three aces and five blocks. Sophomore Samantha Geisinger (Thurmont, MD/Catoctin) was also impressive with seven kills and nine digs.
The Crusaders got back on track defeating Rutgers-Newark three games to none for their first win of the season. Alvernia took the first game 25-11 and followed that with two 25-14 games for the win. Soltis again led the Crusaders with seven attacks and Laura Hetke (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) dominated from the service line with seven service aces.
Alvernia wrapped up the tri-match with a 3-1 win over host Albright College in a game that saw Soltis post a game-high 13 kills and senior Lauren Crimi (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame) pace the Crusaders defensively with seven digs. Sophomore Lauren Crimi (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame) led Alvernia with 25 assists and added three service aces to help the Crusaders secure the win.
With the two wins in the tri-match the Crusaders climb to 2-7 on the season and will look for their third win Sept. 17th when FDU-Florham visits Alvernia.
Bryn Mawr 3, Alvernia 1
Alvernia 3, Rutgers-Newark 0
Alvernia 3, Albright 1
